National Library of the Czech Republic

Abstract The cleaning of particles from smooth and rough paper surfaces using a high-speed CO 2 snow jet was investigated. The measurements included characterization of the jet properties, determination of the cleaning efficiency, and evaluation of any possible adverse effects. The method was compared with nitrogen jet cleaning and dry cleaning by commercial materials. The results showed that the CO 2 snow jet is able to effectively remove particles from the paper surface and did not cause any observable degradation. The CO 2 snow jet cleaning compared with the mechanical dry cleaning showed similar effectiveness without any adverse effects on the paper surface. It was proved that the CO 2 snow technique is a suitable method for cleaning common types of paper materials.

The basic material of library collections is paper. There occur also other kinds of materials in libraries, especially collagen materials – parchment and leather, but also textile, and in modern collections also plastic. Project "Advanced techniques of cleaning of books and manuscripts" (identification code DG18P02OVV048) is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic in 2018-2022. The main goal of the project is to develop techniques suitable for cleaning of the mentioned library materials by laser and by carbon dioxide snow. Cleaning will be carried out on model samples at first, then on real library objects. To optimize parameters of both cleaning techniques, it is fundamental to select method of evaluation of their effectiveness in removing dirt and dust, and at the same time the method of observation, whether undesirable changes in cleaned materials do not occur during cleaning, i.e. their degradation. For orientation evaluation of effectiveness of cleaning, measurement of colour scheme was used in L*a*b* colour space, in particular evaluation of parameter L*. Multifunction microscope Hirox serves for measurement of roughness and wetting power of material surfaces, which may change as a result of damage of integrity of collagen fibres. Also use of scanning electron microscope imaging is of advantage for finding the degree of deterioration of integrity of collagen fibres. Degradation of leather and parchments will also be monitored by measurement of changes in shrinkage temperature using hot table microscopic technique.

The survey of 10‐century‐old illuminations showed that the gold‐like areas were made with the use of brass powder. Since this layer has been showing significant damage, it is vital to identify the degradation mechanisms to prevent the priceless manuscript from further deterioration. Degradation of the pseudo‐gilded areas, such as darkening of the metal phase and disintegration of the binder, are well visible on the illuminations. The aim of the study was to compare the corrosivity of brass induced by binders using artificial aging tests modelling the conditions for the deposition of illuminated documents in the archives. Egg white, gum Arabic, isinglass and parchment glue were applied throughout the experiments. The samples on brass coupons and electrical resistance probes (ER‐probes) were subjected to artificial aging at a high relative humidity and in the air containing acetic acid vapour and the effect of an increased relative humidity on the corrosion behaviour of brass was evaluated. Corrosion depth of the ER‐probes versus time was evaluated as well. The results show that the presence of the binder layer on brass increases the corrosion rate of brass at an elevated relative humidity of ambient air. Protein‐based binders resulted in a higher corrosion rate of brass probes compared to that of polysaccharide‐based binder – gum Arabic.

In this study, we report evaluation of buff ering and self-sterilizing coating complex obtained by dolomite and zinc oxide particles incorporation into styrene-acrylic layer applied to cotton fabric. Surface properties of the coating were evaluated by SEM, EDS and 3D optical microscopy. Antimicrobial properties were determined using a mixture of G+ and G-bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus mutans) that was in dynamic contact with canvases for 4-100 hours. Alkalizing -buff er capacity of the surface layer supplied to the system by dolomite was tested by the addition of acetic acid. All these properties were simultaneously tested on the same canvases that have been previously exposed to the so-called hot (105 C) and wet aging (80 C, 65% relative humidity). The aging was provided in the climatic test room for 144 hours and the properties of canvases before and after aging were compared and evaluated.

SUMMARY The paper discusses the general history and development of the Slavonic Library, Prague, from 1924 to the present, and specifically focuses on this library's past and current collection development policies and practices and how these have changed dramatically over time. The author also discusses services currently available to readers of the Slavonic Library and other information services and activities, such as publications, exhibits, and digitization projects. KEYWORDS: Slavonic LibraryPragueSlavic collectionsSlavonic collectionsCzech librariescollection developmentacquisitions

The digitisation programme of the National Library of the Czech Republic focuses on the preservation of, and provision of access to, old manuscripts and other rare historical documents. The programme involves serious consideration of scholars' needs for images as ‘compressions of reality’; the definition of an extended SGML DTD for the description of compound documents; and the production of a CD‐ROM containing examples and tools for non‐commercial use.

In this work, we discuss two conservation methods, such as laser ablation and two-phase spray of CO2 snow particles, evaluate their effectiveness in cleaning softened PVC samples and eventually we compare them to classical mechanical cleaning. First, we tested the mentioned methods on clean samples, which were later subjected to accelerated ageing. The results show that laser and CO2 snow do not increase the aging of the PVC samples. The cleaning performances of laser and two-phase spray were assessed on samples with artificial encrustation made of dust and artificial sebum soil (palmitic acid). Afterwards, the mentioned methods were used for cleaning real PVC samples. The results presented are very promising and they show that laser ablation and CO2 methods represent effective alternatives to the mechanical cleaning of library collections.

The paper describes qualitative methods of modern library collections (produced after the year 1800) survey in The National Library of the Czech Republic in Prague. Each book is primarily composed of paper sheets and bookbinding. In modern library collections bookbinding usually contains parts composed of synthetic materials. Different types of materials have different mechanisms of degradation. Therefore, the main objectives of this work are nondestructive identification of synthetic materials in bookbinding, their degradation processes, and methods of conservation, conditions of storage, and preventive care as well. Based on the preliminary results of the collection survey in the National Library of the Czech Republic, the most usual types of synthetic materials in bookbinding are cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene, polyurethane, polymethylmethacrylate, and polyvinyl chloride, both of solid and plasticized type. For faster survey of the collections and deeper information is used new instruments for modern library collection survey and preservation – SurveNIR measuring system. SurveNIR measuring system is used for determination of paper properties and identification of plastic materials using chemometric and comparison with material standards. It can identify more than 45 different types of plastics. It is a nondestructive method, very fast, and it is possible to obtain results in a few seconds of measuring. The SurveNIR system was developed in the European project.

The Digitization Registry of the Czech Republic is a research project the aim of which is to create a national registry of digitized documents to avoid unwanted duplications in the digitization as well as to share digitization results throughout the Czech Republic. This could make the digitization more effective and also economize financial resources of participating institutions.

During the 1990s, experts from the National Library of the Czech Republic, together with their colleagues from the Albertina Icome Praha company, participated in defining the principles and technological procedures for the digitization of historical manuscripts and other types of library documents threatened by paper degradation, as well as in developing formats that enable work with digitized documents, their management, and accessibility. Since these activities were promoted by UNESCO, the results benefited not only Czech libraries but also the international professional community. Today, the Czech Republic is among the countries with exceptionally advanced technology for digitizing library documents and managing digital data. The Manuscriptorium, Kramerius, and eSbirky.cz digital libraries are widely used tools for accessing the digital content of a significant part of Czech cultural heritage. Manuscriptorium also functions as a European digital library for historical collections. This study presents key moments in the development of library digitization in the Czech Republic and characterizes the above-mentioned digital libraries and describes how digitital copies are made accessible.

AnnoPage Dataset contains pages of mostly historical documents and annotations of non-textual objects, such as images, diagrams, symbols, initials, etc. The dataset contains data mostly from czech written documents downloaded from Digital Library, but it also contains annotations for pages from other already published datasets which are listed below together with links. The provided ZIP archive includes a text file referencing the pages from these datasets. The complete list of the annotated object categories is also listed below. The dataset contains a split into training and testing subsets, the creation of the validation subset is up to the users. The ZIP archive of the provided dataset is organized as follows: images/ - directory with published 5690 images divided into train and test subdirectories labels/ - directory with annotations in 7550 text files divided into train and test subdirectories README.md - README file with the same information as displayed on this website classes.txt - text file with object categories dataset.yaml - YAML file with dataset definition images.txt - text file with references to the 1860 annotated images from other datasets This dataset was crated within Orbis Pictus – book revival for cultural and creative sectors project. Extra datasets illuhisdoc PRImA Layout Analysis Dataset PRImA RDCL2019 PRImA Europeana Newspapers READ-ICDAR2019-cBAD-dataset TexBiG Object categories Chemical formula and equation Symbol, logo, coat of arms Exlibris Photograph Geometric drawing Graph Initial Caricature and comics Map Mathematical expression and equation Musical notation Image Other book decor Other technical drawing Decorative inscription Floor plan Barcode and QR code Stamp Advertisement Handwritten note Diagram Signet Table Vignette Frieze

La National Library della Czech Republic ha ottenuto un premio per essere riuscita ad aggregare tutte le biblioteche in un progetto unico di biblioteca digitale, uscendo dal modello diffuso di isolamento delle singole istituzioni bibliotecarie. L'intervista racconta l'esperienza pionieristica della National Library per raggiungere questo importante risultato, che ha avuto un impatto internazionale. La visione della trasformazione delle biblioteche anche attraverso la digitalizzazione di Adolf Knoll e particolarmente importante per avviare una riflessione sulla professione che va oltre i confini nazionali.

This article is based on a paper presented in San Francisco, California on December 5, 2015 at the 22nd Meeting of Friends of the Museum of Russian Culture. This is translated from the original Czech. The author’s thanks are owed particularly to the Chief Archivist of the Museum of Russian Culture, Margarita Meniailenko.The text deals with the collections of the Slavonic Library (a section of the National Library of the Czech Republic) that are connected with the theme of Russian emigration. Besides the history of the Slavonic Library, whose creation in 1924 is associated with the project of systematic help to Russian émigrés (the so-called Russian Action), it also describes the structure and composition of the exceptionally rich collection related to Russian émigrés. In addition, it characterizes the methods of making documents accessible to researchers, and the system of Slavonic Library catalogues and digitization projects concerning emigration documents from 1918–1945.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the most interesting points and currently discussed problems in the context of developments in the Czech Republic (CR).

The article discusses a newly-discovered collection of administrative documents and correspondence from the Russkii zagranichnyi istoricheskii arkhiv [Russian Historical Archive Abroad], which was active 1924–1945. The collection is housed in the Slavonic Library in Prague. It is important for both the history of the archive itself and the history of the Russian emigration. An inventory list of the collection is now available on the library's Web site.

The article based on the study of archival sources of the Russian State Military Historical Archive and the National Archive of Czech Republic shows the process of recruitment, training and further service for the sisters of mercy of the Russian Red Cross (RRC) during the First World War (1913—1918). It also traces the subsequent service of the sisters of mercy of the RRC in the ranks of the Russian (White) army on the fronts of the civil war in Russia (1917—1922). The authors of the article indicate a severe deterioration of the conditions of service and living of the sisters of mercy in comparison with the First World War. The study of archival sources abroad allowed the authors to trace the further fate of the sisters of mercy in exile from the 1920s to 1960s. Former sisters of mercy had often become members of the International Red Cross (ICRC) and worked in its hospitals. They participated in the activities of various funds of ICRC, which were helping seriously ill and disabled people as well as orphans among Russian immigrants. They were continuing medical practice and receiving new qualifications as teachers of preschool institutions. After the World War II (1939—1945), some former sisters of mercy of the RRC established funds and public organizations by themselves to provide financial help for Russian immigrants of advanced age. Their active community work saved many immigrants in Europe from arrests and forced returns to the USSR. The authors of the article urge for creation of a set of names of former sisters of mercy, members of the Russian and International Red Cross with brief history of their lives at home and in exile. The first ones they include: T. A. Schaufuss (1891—1986), K. A. Rodzianko (1881—1970), Countess S. V. Panina (1871—1956), A. L. Tolstaya (1884—1979), Andreyanov sisters — E. A. Shapilovskaya (1886—1939) and V. A. Friedman (1888—1961).

This article examines a sample of marginalia from three unique books from the Slavonic Library, Prague. The books explored are Ivan Fedorov’s Apostle (1574), the Ostrih Bible (1581), and Petro Mohyla’s Euchologion (1646). The texts on the margins of these early printed books date from 1575 to 1808 and indicate changes in ownership and various readers’ comments on the content of the texts. This is one of the first studies of marginalia in early printed Slavic books. The results indicate that the deciphering of margin texts can provide valuable information about the provenance of old books and their use by readers.

Prezentováno na konferenci Bibliotheca academica 2025.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the document supply service of the Czech National Library and its use of OCLC in supporting the service. Design/methodology/approach The service is described in detail and placed in the context of the Czech Republic. Findings The use of OCLC has increased the use of the National Library internationally in terms of both requesting and supplying material. Originality value The paper is one of the few articles in English to describe the work of the Czech National Library and provides a good insight into the use of OCLC's WorldCat for international document supply.

The creation of the Libereс camp of interned soldiers-Ukrainians was caused by emergence on the territory of Czechoslovakia of certain groups of Ukrainian soldiers, who tried to get back to their motherland. Their placement in the camp has begun at September 1920, and the life of the camp was built on a military basis. With a view to establish of Liberec camp`s cultural and educational life, there were created the «Cultural and Educational Club» of four (theatrical, musical, historical and photographic) sections. Its primary task was to set up courses for illiterates, as well as providing regular statements for other categories of interned soldiers, organization of sports clubs and archiving. Realization of cultural and educational work at the Liberec camp was largely depended on financial assistance, received from officers of the Ukrainian Galician Army interned at Německé Jablonné camp. It was especially needed in the winter of 1920-1921, when camp inhabitants has suffered of cold in wooden barracks and of deficient food rations. However, this situation did not prevent the organization of activities a number of artistic and educational centers (theater, choirs, courses, schools) in the Camp, intensive national patriotic and educational work as well. There was a library with a fund of about 1000 books and also a shop. The camp command had sought therefore to socialize of interned soldiers, caring for their general and special education for civil professions. Most of the camp inhabitants went gradually out of Camp as part of the workers’ teams to various parts of Czechoslovakia. At the same time, the military discipline was supported in the Camp; military exercises were required, every time when new soldiers came to the Camp, the military organization, specific for the parts of the UHA, was restored. Even workers’ teams formed in the Camp, have a military basis and were subordinated to the UHA Army’s Initial command. These measures were aimed to preparing Ukrainian soldiers for the continuation of the armed fighting for Ukraine’s independence.